Aviva, a major player in life insurance and long-term savings, asset management and non-life insurance, announces the appointment of twenty-seven new general agents to its network.
Aviva, a major player in life insurance and long-term savings, asset management and non-life insurance, announces the appointment of twenty-seven new general agents to its network.
After an 18-week induction period alternating hands-on work and theoretical training, organised by Aviva and certified by the French professional insurance training institute (IFPASS), the new Aviva agents started working in their respective branches on 1 January 2010:
- Alain Albert, in Gardanne (Bouches-du-Rhône)
- Cédric Barbençon, in Ambérieu-en-Bugey (Ain)
- Denis Barbier, in Beynes-Plaisir (Yvelines)
- Laurent Bastide, in Montbrison (Loire)
- Olivier Beaufort, in Dreux (Eure-et-Loir)
- Pierre Besançon, in Bellegarde-sur-Valserine (Ain)
- Maxime Biotteau, in Chemillé (Maine-et-Loire)
- Stanislas de Tourtier, in Cercié (Rhône)
- Julien de Lamerville, in Poitiers (Vienne)
- Laurent Derycke, in Beaucaire (Bouches-du- Rhône)
- Xavier Desalbres, in Bordeaux (Gironde)
- Cécile Fournié, in Bordeaux (Gironde)
- Sophie Gillioz, in Bordeaux (Gironde)
- Stéphane Gontier, in Amiens (Somme)
- Cyril Jannier, in Neuville-sur-Saône (Rhône)
- Olivier Lorry, in Blois (Loir-et-Cher)
- Frédérique Martineau, in Blois (Loir-et-Cher)
- Viannay Mathon, in Ceyzeriat (Ain)
- Pantxika Milhères, in Saint-Jean-de-Luz (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
- Patrick Pelletier, in Gray, Port-sur-Saône and Vesoul (Haute-Saône)
- Patrice Pezzini, in Marcy-L’Etoile (Rhône)
- Frédéric Picot, in Pithiviers and Beaune La Rolande (Loiret)
- Valérie Scotto, in Nice (Alpes-Maritimes)
- Eric Sueur, in Amiens, Albert and Gamaches (Somme)
- Arnaud Vanoye, in Dunkirk (Nord)
- Sébastien Viaene, in Nogent-sur-Seine (Aube)
- Gilles Yacoub, in Aubagne (Bouches-du-Rhône).
Recruitment of Aviva general agents on the rise since 2002
Since 2002, Aviva has been implementing a highly active general agent recruitment policy. In fact, Aviva is the only company in the market to have significantly increased its number of agents (812 in 2003, 850 in 2005, 875 in 2007).
The ideal candidate is a man or woman aged between 30 and 50 with at least two years’ higher education and successful sales experience. Academic qualifications are not the most important consideration: a relevant career path and sales experience are real assets.
Whether or not the candidate is based locally will also be taken into account, as "being a local" and understanding the specific character of a region will help in their dealings with future customers.
IFPASS-certified training that combines theoretical and on-the-job components
In view of the upsurge in recruitment, the increasing specialisation of the insurance sector and different approaches to branch management, Aviva has designed a training programme adapted to this new context.
The training programme allows agents to continue to perform effectively whilst acquiring new skills. Immediately after their recruitment they undergo thorough introductory training, complemented by a second phase of training that offers the opportunity to specialise.
Throughout their careers, Aviva’s regional managers are on hand to guide agents and train them in new products and technologies.
The training programme for new general agents lasts 18 weeks. It is based on alternating training, combining theoretical modules with onsite training in branches. Candidates’ knowledge is tested on an ongoing basis throughout the process. Assessment is carried out by the training team.
Successful trainees are awarded a diploma certified by Aviva Assurances and IFPASS.
For two years after taking up their posts, general agents follow a complementary training programme intended to build on aspects of the profession in which they have acquired a basic grounding. This gives them the necessary independence, particularly within the context of the delegation of powers.
The “Good Advice” approach, a key element for Aviva general agents
In France, long-term customer satisfaction is a key lever for growth. Aviva has invested heavily in this area and continues to do so. The company is gradually extending its policy of personalised guidance for customers, known as the “Good advice” approach, to all of its distribution networks.
This approach consists of offering customers solutions and services that truly meet their expectations and monitoring their situation regularly to make changes to policies if necessary. The general agents are responsible for ensuring that this approach is applied properly.
| Alain Albert, appointed Aviva General Agent in Gardanne (Bouches-du-Rhône) | With more than 20 years’ commercial experience, 44-year-old Alain Albert has decided to put his knowledge of client portfolio management and development to good use, and has taken over Aviva’s Gardanne branch. |
| Cédric Barbençon, appointed Aviva General Agent in Ambérieu-en-Bugey (Ain)
| Cédric Barbançon, aged 30, already has a sound knowledge of general and life insurance products, thanks to the experience he has gained over the past four years working for major bancassurance groups. This experience will stand him in good stead at Aviva’s branch in Ambérieu-en-Bugey, where he will be working as general agent. |
| Denis Barbier, appointed Aviva General Agent in Beynes-Plaisir (Yvelines)
| After 20 years of varied experience and training in the field of insurance and a role as a sales events organiser in the Ile de France region, Denis Barbier has taken over the Beynes-Plaisir office. He aims to add businesses and private individuals to the branch’s personal insurance portfolio. |
| Laurent Bastide, appointed Aviva General Agent in Montbrison (Loire)
| After eight years as a consultant for Fortis Assurances, Laurent Bastide has acquired recognised expertise in the marketing of savings, pension, health and retirement solutions to private and professional clients. He is 30 years old and will bring his experience to the service of the clients of Aviva’s Montbrison branch. |
| Olivier Beaufort, appointed Aviva General Agent in Dreux (Eure-et-Loir) | A branch manager at Crédit Mutuel du Centre since 2007, Olivier Beaufort will be tapping into his 17 years of experience in insurance and banking. Taking over the client portfolio of Aviva’s branch in Dreux, he plans to increase its non-life and life business. |
| Pierre Besançon, appointed Aviva General Agent in Bellegarde-sur-Valserine (Ain) | At 32 years of age, Pierre Besançon has decided to follow his vocation as an entrepreneur. Having managed a branch of Lyonnaise de Banque CIC since 2004, the clients of Aviva’s Bellegarde branch will now benefit from his excellent interpersonal skills and commercial dynamism. |
| Maxime Biotteau, appointed Aviva General Agent in Chemillé (Maine-et-Loire)
| 29 years old and with almost 10 years’ sales experience in the automotive sector behind him, Maxime Biotteau has decided to follow his entrepreneurial calling by taking over the client portfolio of the Chemillé branch of Aviva, which he hopes to build through his customer- and results-oriented approach. |
| Stanislas de Tourtier, appointed Aviva General Agent in Cercié (Rhône)
| After previous roles at an AXA branch and then as an Aviva agricultural inspector in Lyon for 7 years, Stanislas de Tourtier has joined Jean-Pierre Narboux and Norbert Thomas at Aviva’s Cercié branch, in the province of Beaujolais, where he aims to nurture closer relationships with the branch’s clients. |
| Julien de Lamerville, appointed Aviva General Agent in Poitiers (Vienne)
| Having worked as a commercial inspector for Aviva for eight years, in the departments of Vienne, Indre and Cher, Julien de Lamerville is familiar with Aviva’s insurance products. At the age of 39, he has chosen to put his knowledge of the insurance market to good use, teaming up with Bruno Plazzi to serve the clients of the Aviva branch in Poitiers. |
| Laurent Derycke, appointed Aviva General Agent in Beaucaire (Bouches-du-Rhône) | A Customer Relationship Manager at Axa France since 2002, Laurent Derycke is familiar with the business of selling life and general insurance products. At 36 years of age, he has decided to apply this experience to managing the client portfolio of Aviva’s Beaucaire branch. |
| Xavier Desalbres, appointed Aviva General Agent in Bordeaux (Gironde)
| After 20 years’ experience in insurance, including 10 years on the management of Aviva Professionals, Xavier Desalbres has teamed up with Cécile Fournié to manage the portfolio of Aviva’s Bordeaux-Mérignac branch, in his home region. He is particularly keen to expand the Professionals and Businesses markets. |
| Cécile Fournié, appointed Aviva General Agent in Bordeaux (Gironde) | Coming to Aviva with solid experience in negotiations with public and private actors and good listening skills, Cécile Fournié is joining forces with Xavier Desalbres to expand the client portfolio of the Bordeaux-Mérignac branch. |
| Sophie Gillioz, appointed Aviva General Agent in Bordeaux (Gironde) | Having worked at the Bordeaux branch of Aviva since 1994, it was a natural move for Sophie Gillioz to take on more responsibilities there. She is 37 years old and has joined Claude and Pierre Lagarde to build the branch’s business and client portfolio. |
| Stéphane Gontier, appointed Aviva General Agent in Amiens (Somme)
| The kingpin of the Amiens branch of Aviva for the past five years, Stéphane Gontier has decided to take his career up a gear. 40-year-old Stéphane is taking over the client portfolio of Aviva’s Amiens branch, which he intends to strengthen thanks to his experience and his knowledge of the Aviva product range. |
| Cyril Jannier, appointed Aviva General Agent in Neuville-sur-Saône (Rhône)
| A former HSBC branch manager with more than 10 years’ banking experience under his belt, Cyril Jannier has joined Aviva as a General Agent. His hands-on experience and commercial sense will enable him to increase the turnover of the Neuville-sur-Saône branch of Aviva. |
| Olivier Lorry, appointed Aviva General Agent in Blois (Loir-et-Cher) | Having worked at an Aviva branch since 1993, Olivier Lorry, 37, joins Frédérique Martineau to build the business of Aviva’s Blois branch. As a General Agent, clients will benefit from his in-depth knowledge of the wide range of Aviva insurance products. |
| Frédérique Martineau, appointed Aviva General Agent in Blois (Loir-et-Cher)
| Aged 36 years, Frédérique Martineau has worked in insurance since 1995. Eager to take on a new challenge and enjoy greater autonomy in the marketing of Aviva products to a varied client base of traders, craftspeople and private individuals, she has teamed up with Olivier Lorry at the Aviva branch in Blois. |
| Viannay Mathon, appointed Aviva General Agent in Ceyzeriat (Ain) | 28-year-old Vianney Mathon has taken his career in a new direction and is ready to take on a new challenge. Formerly an accounting assistant, he is now keen to draw on his strong interpersonal skills to develop the client portfolio of the Ceyzeriat branch of Aviva. |
| Pantxika Milhères, appointed Aviva General Agent in Saint-Jean-de-Luz (Pyrénées-Atlantiques) | Aged 29, Pantxika Milhères has decided to run Aviva’s Saint-Jean-de-Luz branch. She is looking forward to exercising her ability to listen and advice, as well as her solid sales experience, with the branch’s clients. |
| Patrick Pelletier, appointed Aviva General Agent in Gray, Port-sur-Saône, Vesoul (Haute-Saône) | Patrick Pelletier, 49 years of age, joins forces with François Heili at the Gray, Port-sur-Saône and Vesoul branches of Aviva. After more than 30 years in executive roles at Thomson SA, he is taking his career to a new level and anticipates that Aviva clients will appreciate his dynamism. |
| Patrice Pezzini, appointed Aviva General Agent in Marcy-L’Etoile (Rhône) | With 25 years of insurance experience in the Rhône-Alpes region behind him, Patrice Pezzini is embarking on a new stage of his career. In his role as an Aviva General Agent, he intends to draw on his knowledge of the local economic fabric to increase the turnover and client portfolio of Aviva’s Marcy-L’Etoile branch. |
| Frédéric Picot, appointed Aviva General Agent in Pithiviers (main branch) and in Beaune la Rolande (secondary branch) | A financial adviser for life insurance at Aviva since 2005, Frédéric Picot, 42 years, has taken on the client portfolio of Aviva’s branches in Pithiviers and Beaune la Rolande. His clients will benefit from his solid knowledge of financial products and extensive commercial experience. |
| Valérie Scotto, appointed Aviva General Agent in Nice (Alpes-Maritimes) | 44 years of age and an employee of the Aviva Nice Notre-Dame branch since 1992, Valérie Scotto is teaming up with Sonia Meyer at the same branch. She hopes to capitalise on her knowledge of Aviva’s insurance products to enlarge the client portfolio. |
| Eric Sueur, appointed Aviva General Agent in Amiens, Albert et Gamaches (Somme)
| Having worked at the Cabinet Bréart branch since 1999, Eric Sueur has now joined the team as a General Agent. 40-year-old Eric will focus on promoting Aviva’s range of products and offering advice to the varied clientele of the Amiens, Albert and Gamaches branches of Aviva. |
| Arnaud Vanoye, appointed Aviva General Agent in Dunkirk (Nord) | Arnaud Vanoye has worked as an HSBC branch manager since 2005 and has 17 years’ successful experience in retail banking. He will now put his knowledge of the local economy to good use, as he will be managing the client portfolio of the Aviva branch in Dunkirk. |
| Sébastien Viaene, appointed Aviva General Agent in Nogent-sur-Seine (Aube) | At the age of 37, Sébastien Viaene has realised a long-time ambition of running Aviva’s Nogent-sur-Seine branch. The clients of the branch will benefit from his solid sales experience as well as his listening and advising skills. |
| Gilles Yacoub, appointed Aviva General Agent in Aubagne (Bouches-du-Rhône) | Results-driven and an excellent salesman, Gilles Yacoub has solid hand-on experience. At the age of 34, he has decided to put his experience managing a profit centre and his interpersonal skills to the service of the clients of Aviva’s Aubagne branch. |
-ends-
Press contacts:
Karim Mokrane (Aviva)
Telephone: +33 (0)1 7662 7685
E-mail: karim_mokrane@aviva.fr
Philippe Tréguer (HDL Communication)
Telephone: +33 (0)1 5865 0073
E-mail: ptreguer@hdlcom.com
Notes to editors:
About Aviva
Aviva is the world’s fifth-largest insurance group*, with 50 million customers across Europe, North America and the Asia Pacific region. Aviva’s principal business activities are: life insurance and long-term savings, fund management and general insurance.
At 31 December 2008, Aviva had total turnover of €64.3 billion, with €393 billion of assets under management. Aviva is the largest insurer in the UK and one of the leading providers of life insurance and pension products in Europe.
A selection of images and all the press releases from the Aviva Group are available in the press area www.aviva.com/media.
With more than 180 years’ experience in France, Aviva is among the top ten players in the insurance market. Aviva France operates a balanced multi-distribution model based on a comprehensive range of products, mainly intended for individuals and SMEs.
Some 900 general agents, 1,800 branch staff, 400 life insurance advisers, almost 900 wealth management advisers (Union Financière de France) and more than 1,000 active partner brokers are at the service of three million clients every day.
Aviva has developed unique expertise in building effective partnerships for the benefit of its clients, particularly with AFER, the largest savings association in France, and the Crédit du Nord, Société Générale and Ford groups.
Specialising in unit-linked products, Aviva is recognised for the excellent performance of its long-term funds, the quality and innovation of its products, and solid commitment to its customers through its Good Advice approach.
Aviva France is a socially responsible company and has developed initiatives that include reducing and neutralising its CO2 emissions, supporting more than 250 projects to help children and the elderly through the Aviva Foundation, and implementing an acclaimed diversity policy.
The Aviva Group directly employs more than 4,700 staff in France.
At 31 December 2008, Aviva France reported consolidated sales of €6.0 billion and an IFRS-based net profit of €130 million. The company had €69.6 billion of assets under management at 31 December 2008.
*Based on gross worldwide premiums at 31 December 2008.